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NOVEMBER After 6 1/2 years of keeping them separate, we opened the borders between Mac-- our bunny, and Purr-Tater and Hobbs-- our cats. They both sneak in and out of their spaces so much, one day we decided to let them stay together and see what happened. We watched them for days, and pretty soon it became clear they all liked the arrangement! We'll continue to monitor, but so far so good-- They are non-stop entertainment!  Purr-Tater and Mac-- friends at last!
 Mac and Hobbs aren't as cozy, but they have an understanding, lol DECEMBER I'm fortunate to be a part of an amazing small group of local artists, The Springboarders. We had a show this month at the Glen Rock Public Library in Glen Rock, NJ. It was my first in-person show since 2019, and great to be showing work with these other fabulous artists and friends! I've been developing a studio habit and have enjoyed more studio time this past year than any other year. We plan to have another, larger show at The Stable Art Gallery in Ridgewood, NJ next November. Stay tuned.. :-) (Not pictured Joy Yoo.)
 Artist Jennifer Merz  Me holding glossy metal print, "Land of Milk and Honey" [Reminiscing Throwback!] New Year's Eve 2021 is the 15th Anniversary of Evan's proposal and our engagement. Here's a photo of us young-uns back on New Year's Day 2007!  Lastly, I wanted to share a daily email resource that I LOVE. Morgan Harper Nichols is an incredibly gifted singer/songwriter/poet/artist/writer. She's inspiring in so many ways and her words encourage me daily! You can receive her material through her app (Storyteller). That's how I began receiving her "daily reminders". Or if you'd like to subscribe to her email list, you can send it to yourself by clicking here.  A portion of one of Morgan's "Daily Reminder" emails Thanks for reading my blog!
Any big plans for 2022? Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy New Year! :-)
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 Staging Photo by Sidekix Media on Unsplash  "Blue Fire for Doug", digital design When I was working for a ministry, making a very low income in the early 1990s, my brother Doug stepped in as an art benefactor, offering me hundreds of dollars to buy art supplies to continue painting in my free time. Extremely generous and kind-hearted, don't you think?? I took him up on his offer, and asked him what I could paint for him. He said, “Something blue for my living room.” I came up with an angular pastel blues combo using fabric paints-- it was a disaster that neither of us liked, lol. I didn't know what else to do, and this blue painting was forgotten... Doug passed away in 2012, but his birthday was yesterday, June 26. He would have been 57. I made this with Doug in mind. “Blue Fire for Doug”. Have you ever created something with a loved one in mind?
 Experimenting with new techniques in Photoshop using the tools from Creators Couture tutorial here.
Took a photo of Mom from her Fredonia State Teachers College Graduation in 1960 and gave it paintinerly effect! My father took this photo of Mom before they were married. Dad was 26, Mom 21. As my pursuit of creating art digitally is expanding I googled, "Top Digital Artists" today. This guy came up! If you have time, it's a beautiful, short, multiple-award winning film about this 97 year-old artist, his life and art. Enjoy!  The lovely poem Hal mentions (below) is by New Jerseyan, Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)
TREES (1913) I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed Against the earth's sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree. In June I completed several new pieces responding to "Call for Art" for Atlanticare Foundation's Healing Arts Program, Egg Harbor Township, NJ. They needed artwork for their new Maternity/OB Ward. I'm delighted and honored to share that they purchased three of my pieces-- two collages and a painting! (below) Evan and I drove six hours to deliver them Friday. Thank you, Lord, and keep the blessings flowing!! Chery Broschard, the Development & Cultural Project Manager, is always looking for new art. To be added to her mailing list, contact her at cbroschard@atlanticare.org
 Flower Field 1, 12 x 24, acrylic If you want to know why this was such a breakthrough for me, drop me a line and I'll tell you more of the story! Thankful-- Evan's support, feedback, and encouragement are priceless!  Transformation I was incredibly honored last month to win my third award for Transformation, a 24" x 50" oil painting I created in college when I was 21 years-old. It came in Third Place ($200) in the Oakton Foundation Spring 2019 Visual Arts Competition. I'd like to share the original sketch as well as some insight behind the painting.  Original sketch, self-portrait, 1986 Like many, depression runs in my family. As a teenager I was caught in a downward spiral of anxiety and depression, and after a life-threatening crisis at age 16, I was briefly hospitalized and started getting treatment. A few years later on my first day of college I met Sarabeth, a born-again Christian, who invited me to the Christian Fellowship group on campus. I went on and off, but mostly did my own thing for the next few years. But I became good friends with her and had many other Christians reach out to me. Even though I had been raised in church, it took me a long time to believe that the Heavenly Father really loved me and that all my sins were forgiven through the work of His Son, Jesus. It was difficult for me to grasp that Jesus bore the punishment for my sins, wanted to wash me clean with His blood and make “all things new” in my life. It seemed too good to be true! But in 1984 I cried out to the Lord and received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me, and a journey that I look forward to continuing for all eternity! (To learn more about God's gift of salvation, click here.) This painting reflects the transformation that took place in me. He brought me out of a dark place into his marvelous love. Colossians 1: 13 AMPC, "[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." A book I'm currently reading which addresses healing in our hearts and I highly recommend is, Unlocking the Heart of the Artist by Matt Tommey.  Standing next to "Transformation" at a Warren County Arts Show in 2012.
 Recently completed, "Heart Flower Grid" mixed media, 12 x 12
This was submitted to a "Call for Entry" for Maternity and OB spaces at AtlantiCare Medical Center in Egg Harbor Township, NJ Update! 7/17/19This top piece was purchased by AtlantiCare Foundation, Egg Harbor Township, NJ for their Maternity/OB Ward!   Recently completed, "Flower Fields #1 & #2" 12" x 24", acrylic
These were created for submission to a "Call for Entry" for Maternity and OB spaces at AtlantiCare Medical Center, Egg Harbor Township, NJ  WORK IN PROGRESS - 12" x 12" paper collage - working title "Healed Heart" - DAY TWO
 WORK IN PROGRESS - 12" x 12" paper collage - working title "Healed Heart" - DAY ONE
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Thank you for landing on my blog! It’s an honor to have some of your time. This a collection of photos, art, poems, and other stuff on my creative life journey. I’m thankful to have this visual diary, and if it blesses YOU, that’s even better!
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